Chewing-gum and method of making the same.



ADOLI' H'US G. MEIER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

CHEWING-GUM'AND METHOD Oi MAKING THE SAME.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AfoLPHUs G. M IER, a citizen of the United States, and residing at St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Chewing-Gum and Methods of Making the Same, of which the following chicle 1s is a specification.

This invention relates to and more particularly to chewing gums which performbo-th the function of a dentifrice and an antiseptic for the teeth and chewing gums ms. IL

Chewing gum consists of chicle, glucose, and sugar, together withca flavoring compound; In the manufacture of chewing gum a mixture of glucose and granulated sugar is brought to aboil, and at a temperature of about 270 F. A quantity of dried chicle is stirred into the. mixture, which chicle melts and mixes with the glucose and sugar. This mixture is then allowed to partially cool and is kneaded on a board with powdered sugar, so that the powdered sugar will be taken up by the comparatively soft and sticky mixture. The proportions used vary somewhat. Thus according to one formula now in use, six pounds of granulated sugar and five pounds of glucose are mixed. with seven pounds of dried chicle, and this resultant mixture is kneaded with ten pounds of powdered sugar. A flavoring compound is usually added to the mixture so as to flavor the v I solutlon or of a powder is mixed with the gum, or where it is desirable that the gum have antiseptic qualities, an antiseptic compound is added. After the mixture has been kneaded it is rolled out into sheets and cut into sticks.

When a chewing gum is masticated the sugar and glucose as well as the fiavormg extract are dissolved out, so that after a comparatively short time nothing but the left. The chewing gum therefore loses all of its flavor in .a short time. The

same is true if an antiseptic is used instead of the usual flavoring compounds, and this antiseptic will soon be dissolved out leaving nothing but the chicle, as chicle does not have any qualities which cause it to-retain a flavoring or antiseptic compound.

Some of the objects of this invention therefore are to produce a chewing gum which will retain an added fugitive ingredi- 4 Specification of Letters Patent.

.tailed description, and

' Patented Feb. 8, 1916.

AppHcation ified Qctobe r 9,1913. Serial 110.79%195.

ent such as a flavoring or an antiseptic compound for a long time, which will act as a dentifrice, and more specifically which dentifrice will act as an absorbent and retainer for the added flavoring or antiseptic ingredient.

Another ob ect is to provide a novel method of making the gum.

Further objects will appear from the dein this detailed description one method of making the gu will be described.'

In the making of the chewing gum forming the. subject-matter of this invention, the

.sugar and glucose are mixed with dried chicle or any other suitable chewing gum base. in the same manner as in the process of the prior art. This mixture is then kneadedwith powdered sugar and a material which will act bothas a dentifrice and an absorbent vehicle for a flavoring or antiseptic compound. Powdered chalk being porous, amorphous, and abrasive,- will act both as a dentifrice and as an absorbent for the fugitive flavoring or antiseptic ingredient added to the gum. In order to give the a flavor, the chalk is mixed with a suitable flavoring compound, such as-peppermint, Wintergreen, or any of the essen- .tial oil's. In order to give the gum an antiseptic quality the chalk is mixed with any suitable antiseptic, such as .carbolic acid, menthol, thymol, or eucalyptus.

One of these fugitive ingredients, in the form of a chalk and allowed to remain in contact therewith for some time. It will be found that after a period, depending upon the natureof the fugitive ingredient used, the chalk will absorb large quantities thereof. The chalk so prepared and serving as a ve- 'hi'cle for fugitive ingredientsis now mixed g} im e chewin .so repared consists of sugar, glucose a d dhicl the usual constituents of chewing gum, and an added mixture consisting of a fugitive ingredient either in the form of a flavor or an antiseptic, combined with an insoluble, absorbing, vehicle, in-this case, chalk. This chalk performs several useful functions. It performs first, the function of a dentifrice for cleaning and polishing the teeth. Second, since this powdered chalk is porous and has absorbed the flavor: ing or antiseptic compound, it will retain itsv flavor or antiseptic qualities for a long time. In view of the fact that this fugitive flavoring or antiseptic compound is absorbed by the chalk instead of only mixed with the sugar, the amount of flavoring or antiseptic compound which can be placed in a given quantity of chewing gum is greater than heretofore. Moreover the chalk acts as a retainer and will slowly part with the flavoring or antiseptic compound; the flavor will therefore last a long time. The chalk will increase the permanent bulk of the gum considerably, as chalk is insoluble, so that it will not be necessary to use as much chicle, to have the same sized plug. left in the mouth after the sugar is dissolved. ,p o

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the details of the product and method without departing from the spirit of this invention, and it is therefore to be understood that this invention is not to be limited to the specific details described.

very much Having thus described the invention what is claimed is:

1. A, chewing gum containing an added mixture consisting of a fugitive ingredient and an insoluble, absorbent vehicle therefor.

2. A- chewing, gum containing an added mixture consisting of a fugitive ingredient and an insoluble dentifrice forming an absorbent vehicle for said ingredients.

3. A; chewing, gum containing an added mixture consisting of a fugitive ingredient and chalk, the latter'forming a vehicle for said ingredient.

4. A chewing gum containing an added mixture consisting of an antiseptic and an insoluble, absorbent vehicle therefor.

. 5. A chewing gum containing an added mixture consisting of an antiseptic and an insoluble dentrifice forming an absorbent vehicle for said antiseptic.

' 6. The method of making chewing gum comprising mixing a fugitive ingredient with a vehicle therefor and adding said mixture to a gum compound. 7. The method of making chewing gum comprising mixing a fugitive ingredient with an insoluble, absorbent vehicle and adding said mixture to a gum compound.

- lln testimony whereof ll ailix my signature in the presence pfthese two witnesses.

I ADQLPHUS G. METER. Witnesses:

F. A. Sonanrnnme,

I Ftonnnen Wantm. 

